Dreamland

They say an author must write about what he knows...so due to the fact that I don't live close to beautiful welsh waterfalls (Rob!!) or fantastic Vermont forestry (Katy!!) I invite you to sample the "delights" of Margate. with a little, er, social comment thrown in for free

Re: Dreamland

Originally Posted by dragonaxe

...so due to the fact that I don't live close to beautiful welsh waterfalls (Rob!!)

Actually, I can (and do) do the grot! Personally, I don't think it makes all that much difference where you live, unless you particularly want to do pretty landscapes (move to West/North Wales/Scotland), or great street people shots (London/New York). If I lived where you do, I would probably do a project on the run-down aspects of British seaside resorts. Plenty to be going on with there.

The shot you have posted is typical. Just a quick glance at it tells of tourist-destination decay and the passing of a British cultural aspect that started it's decline years ago when package holidays started in the 1960s. I think it lookss better all in BW.

Re: Dreamland

Originally Posted by carregwen

...If I lived where you do, I would probably do a project on the run-down aspects of British seaside resorts.

I thought of that, but I would rather do pretty landscapes. On the other hand, it would be an interesting challenge....and I do need to get my compositional eye practiced! Plus it's prime B&W subject matter, and is right on my doorstep!!!! (not sure if that's a good or bad thing! lol)

Re: Dreamland

I thought I lived in a good place, then there was a murder a month close to the entrance to a semi roughland park area, then they found a body in a case near where I was sizing up a photo and one way was the annoying road full of traffic and the other way was either a traffic cone or a case. Can't remember, but I do remember seeing an old abandoned case somewhere.

So now I don't know where to go, because I'm not going there in the early morning again.

I think I would prefer Margate but then everywhere might be the same now. Forget that, it might be haunted now

Re: Dreamland

Originally Posted by dragonaxe

I thought of that, but I would rather do pretty landscapes.

Yeah? Well I have news for you - I'd rather shack up with Kate Winslet

I think Margate is a good location. I can see all these grainy BW urban images of closed fun-fair parks, trailer parks, roller-shuttered hot-dog stalls, junkies shooting up under the pier. Think on the bright side. If you get mugged and have your camera knicked you have a great excuse to get a new (read that as 'better') one!

Re: Dreamland

I've been thinking about it this afternoon....and it's starting to appeal more and more
Might leave out the junkies under the pier (and not just cos there isn't one!! lol)...sounds a bit risky for my liking. But there's definately a few grimy areas I can already think of going! hmmm, watch this space (and Crimewatch too )

Re: Dreamland

Originally Posted by dragonaxe

I've been thinking about it this afternoon....and it's starting to appeal more and more
Might leave out the junkies under the pier (and not just cos there isn't one!! lol)...sounds a bit risky for my liking. But there's definately a few grimy areas I can already think of going! hmmm, watch this space (and Crimewatch too )

Good man! This is the sort of thing I meant. Some of them work well in colour, others are better in BW. This one was in Tenby, West Wales.

Re: Dreamland

Gareth

British seaside towns offer massive photographic opportunities. They symbolise our culture. Buildings fit for an empire then drizzled liberally with tac and cheekiness I suspect most novice photographers think the grass is always greener. I know I did...until you really start to look at your environment. Actually more important is to actually 'feel' your environment. I am lucky in a way because I personally get no mental stimulation from 'pretty' pictures.

Rob is spot on. He lives in the beautiful part of the British Isles but if you look at his 'down at heel' work it tells a real story it echos real people in real places and because of this the images stay with you far longer than an afternoon with Alan Titchmarsh. If you really must do 'nice' I can guarantee you that if you get out and about in Margate, with the right light and the right season you will get some stunners.

I do not 'do' landscapes but even with my limited knowledge you can get something passable from a British seaside town on a dull July day